Education Learning Commons

The primary function of the Education Learning Commons (ELC) is to provide current resources, media and services to our community as they design and use instructional materials.

Priority is given to school of education patrons. The ELC offers an open study, meeting areas, an educational library, instructional technology for student needs and a STEAM Studio.

Location and Directions

Turn into the main Samford entrance; turn left at the stop sign; drive past the football stadium; and proceed through the four-way stop. The ELC is on the third floor of Orlean Bullard Beeson Hall—the first building on your left after the stop sign.

Hours of Operation

The ELC follows the Samford academic calendar and is open when classes are in session. Normal operation hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For current hours of operation, please call 205-726-2558.

Mission and Vision

The ELC advances the mission of Samford University through its approach to education in a Christian environment and training of Teacher Education students, faculty and staff. The ELC seeks to prepare students by providing a variety of educational and technology resources in order to facilitate students’ understanding, acquisition, development, integration and application of knowledge, skills, technology, equity, accountability and dispositions both personally and professionally. The ELC seeks to be a resource for faculty as they prepare professional teacher-leaders and in their role as scholar-teachers by providing both personnel support and other educational and technology resources necessary to maintain a successful Teacher Education program.

Goals

  • The ELC serves as an educational resource and support for students and faculty at Samford University.
  • The ELC serves as an educational resource for the community and university partners.

Outcomes

  • Provide students and faculty with current educational resources.
  • Provide training for students and faculty regarding integrating technology.
  • Serve as a resource for community service and partnerships.
  • Provide students and faculty access to technologies and equipment.
 

Resources

All payments should be made at the ELC circulation desk at the time the materials are used. The ELC does not accept IOUs. The ELC accepts cash and charge to department only.

  • WePA printing available
  • Bulletin board paper—50 cents per foot
  • Construction paper—five cents per sheet
  • Ellison Die Cut Machine—five cents per cut (free for education majors)
  • Laminator—film is $1.50 per foot (60 cents per foot for education majors)
  • Poster board—$1.00 each
  • Mounted TVs available for collaboration using Mersive Solstice App

Education Library

Search the Collection

  1. Go to library3.samford.edu
  2. Click on the "View All Libraries" drop-down list
  3. Select “Education Learning Commons”

Collections

General Collection

The Orlean Bullard Beeson (OBB) Library houses approximately 1,000 general education print resources, supporting professional education programs and consists of state courses of study, National Standards, periodicals, reference books and professional books. Some professional topics included in the collection are school law and administration, early childhood education, educational research and assessment , multicultural education, effective teaching, and critical thinking.

Textbook Collection

The OBB Library houses more than 2,000 textbooks, including both student and teacher editions. Many textbooks also include supplemental materials such as test banks, workbooks and DVDs. The textbook collection covers all content areas in both the elementary and secondary curriculum.

Robyn B. Cohen Children's Book Collection

In September 2002, the Robyn B. Cohen Children's Book Collection was dedicated to the OBB Department of Teacher Education. Funding for the collection was provided by Michael and Carol Cohen in celebration of the life of their daughter, Robyn B. Cohen, a 1998 Samford education major and former student assistant in the ELC. Thanks to the Cohen's generosity, the ELC houses a growing collection of children's and young adult books, including Caldecott and Newberry Award books. Of special interest is our collection of books dealing with children with special needs such as autism, dyslexia and ESL. The collection also covers social issues such as death of a family member, divorce, AIDS and child abuse.

Educational Testing Materials

Testing materials are used by school of education majors when performing tests and assessments in P-12 schools. Testing materials include the Denver II Test Kit, Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement (KTEA), Kaufman Survey of Early Academic and Language Skills (K-Seals), Woodcock-Johnson III, and the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-III).

Circulation Policy

Books

Books are available for checkout to all Samford students, faculty, staff and alumni. Books from the children’s collection, general collection, and textbooks may be checked out for two weeks. Reference materials, Alabama Courses of Study and National Standards are available for checkout. However, you can use the following websites for digital reference materials:

Equipment

Faculty, staff and students of Orlean Beeson School of Education with a valid Samford University I.D. may check out available equipment including: Swivls, iPads, laptops, math and science manipulatives through the ELC. Robots are available through the STEAM Studio. The highest priority for use of this equipment is to support classroom instruction in the school of education. Repeated failure to return equipment on time or in its condition at the time of checkout will result in loss of privileges. Equipment may be checked out for one night only, unless previously arranged. To reserve equipment, please use Sierra or contact Amanda Stone at 205-726-2987 or astone1@samford.edu.

Educational Testing Materials

Faculty, staff and students of Orlean Beeson School of Education with a valid Samford University I.D. may check out testing materials overnight.

OBB 300

OBB 300 is a relaxed, open area used by students for studying, working and collaboration. It contains two 52-inch flat-screen televisions and a smart television. Students can collaborate with the Mersive Solstice App via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth on their computers. It is also used for group meetings. You may reserve OBB 300 by using SPACES.